JP2014198255A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine allowing transmission of a large value without excessively increasing the number of kinds of instructions.SOLUTION: A main board associates instruction kind data and instruction content data that are a set of instruction data transmitted as an instruction to a sub board and transmits them to the sub board. The main board uses at least two sets of instruction data including a first set and a second set so as to transmit a special instruction having a kind number represented by a bit string having a data length longer than a prescribed data length, indicates that the instruction kind data of the first set is a kind designating a value range so as to indicate the kind of the special instruction in form to designate the value range and a number within the value range of a plurality of value ranges into which a value of the kind number is divided, designates the value range by the instruction content data of that set, indicates that the instruction kind data of the second set is a kind designating the number, and designates the number by the instruction content data of that set.

Description

  The present invention relates to a ball game machine having a game area in which game balls are launched.

  Conventionally, among the various ball game machines, a so-called first type pachinko game machine is used while changing a plurality of symbols in a display area such as a liquid crystal display provided substantially at the center of the game board. Display (hereinafter, such display is referred to as “symbol change” or “change display”). This gaming machine shifts to a special game called so-called big hit, in which more prize balls can be obtained than a normal game when the combination of symbols when a plurality of rows of symbol variations are stopped becomes a specific aspect. It is known as a thing (for example, refer patent document 1). The variable display of symbols in the display area is not limited to simply displaying multiple symbols in a variable manner, but the time required for the variable display to be a big hit if one more symbols are aligned, such as the so-called reach screen. For example, an effect is made to increase the player's expectation, such as making it longer. In addition, a character image, background image, etc. can be used to create a story with a variation display of the symbol, probability variation to increase the efficiency of transition to special games, shortening the variation time, and ease of entering the starting prize opening. The player's expectation is also enhanced by the control to shift to the easy entry state.

  The command sent from the main control device to the sub-control device in the gaming machine is generally composed of 2-byte data. One byte is called MODE data, and the other byte is called EVENT data (see, for example, Patent Document 2). Each most significant bit is a bit for identifying whether it is MODE data or EVENT data, so the remaining 7 bits are substantially used as a data area. Therefore, the command sent to the sub-control device is limited to a value from 0 to 127.

JP 2003-230714 A JP 2012-157575 A

  However, as a result of the diversification of production in recent years, there are cases where the production type exceeds 128 types, and it is sometimes difficult to specify the production type with data of substantially 7 bits. On the other hand, the type of EVENT data, that is, the type of instruction is specified for the MODE data. However, since this MODE data is also 7 bits, the number of types is limited to 128 types, and the number of types is increased indiscriminately. I can't.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that can transmit a large value without increasing the number of types of instructions.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a ball game machine according to an aspect of the present invention is provided with a game board on which a game area is formed, and a predetermined position in the game area. Controls the game control operations including the main control device that controls the game operations including the winning lottery and the lottery executed and the winning lottery executed when triggered by the starting winning port, and the display process for showing the result of the lottery A sub-control device. The main control device associates command type data, which is a set of command data to be transmitted as a command to the sub control device, and command content data, and transmits the command type data to the sub control device in association with each other. Includes a bit string of data length. The instruction content data includes a bit string having a predetermined data length indicating the contents of the instruction. The main control device continuously transmits a plurality of sets of command data in a predetermined order to transmit a special command having the number of types represented by a bit string having a data length longer than the predetermined data length, and the plurality of sets of command data. The instruction type data included in the data indicates the same type, and it is assumed that the instruction content data included in a plurality of sets of instruction data is reconstructed as a bit string having a data length longer than the predetermined data length by combining them in a predetermined procedure. When the control device receives a plurality of sets of instruction data indicating the same type transmitted continuously in a predetermined order from the main control device, the control device combines the instruction content data included in the plurality of sets of instruction data according to a predetermined procedure. A special instruction is recognized by reconstructing a bit string having a data length longer than the data length.

  It should be noted that any combination of the above-described constituent elements, and the constituent elements and expressions of the present invention are mutually replaced between a method, an apparatus, a system, a computer program, a recording medium storing the computer program, a data structure, and the like. This is effective as an embodiment of the present invention.

  According to the bullet ball gaming machine of the present invention, it is possible to provide a gaming machine capable of transmitting a large value without increasing the number of types of instructions indiscriminately.

It is a figure which shows the basic structure in the front side of a pachinko game machine. It is a figure which shows the basic structure in the back side of a pachinko game machine. It is a figure which shows the functional block of the pachinko game machine in a present Example. It is a figure which shows typically a success / failure determination table. It is a figure which shows typically the prior success determination table referred by prior advance determination. It is a figure which shows a symbol determination table typically. It is a figure which shows a fluctuation pattern table typically. It is a figure which shows typically the prior pattern determination table referred by prior pattern determination. It is a figure which shows the fluctuation pattern table for deviation in detail. It is a flowchart which shows the basic operation | movement process in a pachinko game machine. It is a flowchart which shows the winning process of S10 in FIG. 10 in detail. 12 is a flowchart showing in detail the advance determination process of S28 in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the whole process of the normal game control process of S14 in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the prefetch process of S250 in FIG. 13 in detail. It is a flowchart which shows in detail the special symbol fluctuation | variation process of S252 in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows in detail the decoration design change process of S254 in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the special game control process of S16 in FIG. 10 in detail. FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing in detail a release process in S100 in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the closing process of S102 in FIG. 17 in detail. It is a flowchart which shows in detail the small hit game control process of S17 in FIG. FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating in detail a release process in S160 in FIG. 20. It is a flowchart which shows in detail the closing process of S162 in FIG. It is a figure which shows the table | surface of the command classification data and command content data which show the frequency | count of probability change. It is a figure which shows typically the coupling | bonding of the command content data contained in two sets of command data. It is a flowchart which shows the process of reception and coupling | bonding of command data. It is a figure which shows the table | surface of the command classification data which shows game time, and command content data. It is a figure which shows typically the coupling | bonding of the command content data contained in 4 sets of command data. It is a figure which shows the table | surface of the instruction classification data and instruction content data which show the frequency | count of probability change in 2nd Example. It is a figure which shows the table | surface of the command classification data which shows the frequency | count of fluctuation, and command content data.

(Prerequisite technology)
FIG. 1 shows a basic structure on the front side of a pachinko gaming machine. Hereinafter, a so-called first type pachinko gaming machine, which is conventionally known as a bullet ball gaming machine, will be described as an example. The pachinko gaming machine 10 is mainly composed of a gaming machine frame and a gaming board. The gaming machine frame of the pachinko gaming machine 10 includes an outer frame 11, a front frame 12, a transparent plate 13, a door 14, an upper ball dish 15, a lower ball dish 16, and a launch handle 17. The outer frame 11 has an opening and is a frame for fixing the pachinko gaming machine 10 to a position where it should be installed. The front frame 12 is a frame body that aligns with the opening portion of the outer frame 11, and is attached to the outer frame 11 so as to be opened and closed by a hinge mechanism (not shown). The front frame 12 includes a mechanism for launching a game ball, a mechanism for detachably storing a game board, a mechanism for guiding or collecting the game ball, and the like.

  The transparent plate 13 is made of glass or the like and is supported by the door 14. The door 14 is attached to the front frame 12 so as to be openable and closable by a hinge mechanism (not shown). The upper ball tray 15 has a mechanism for storing game balls, sending the game balls to the launch rail, extracting the game balls to the lower ball tray 16, and the like. The lower ball tray 16 has a mechanism for storing and extracting game balls. A speaker 18 is provided between the upper ball tray 15 and the lower ball tray 16, and a sound effect corresponding to the gaming state or the like is output by means for controlling an effect described later.

  The game board 50 has an out port 58, a special symbol display device 61, an effect display device 60, and a start winning port (hereinafter referred to as “start port”) 62 on a game area 52 defined by the outer rail 54 and the inner rail 56. , A center ornament 64, a grand prize opening 66, an operation opening 68, and a general prize opening 72. Furthermore, in the game area 52, a plurality of mechanisms such as a game nail and a windmill (not shown) are installed.

  The starting port 62 is a starting port that triggers the entrance of a game ball to perform a lottery determination. The starting port 62 is provided in the starting port 62 and a start winning detection device 74 for detecting the entrance of a game ball. A normal electric accessory solenoid 76 for expanding the expansion mechanism 63 (so-called electric tulip) is provided. The expansion mechanism 63 is composed of two blade members provided at the upper part of the opening of the start port 62, and has a narrow opening width that allows only a game ball falling from just above the start port 62 to enter when closed. Become. On the other hand, when the expansion mechanism 63 is expanded and opened, the opening width of the start port 62 is widened, and not only the start port 62 but also a game ball falling in the vicinity thereof can be guided to the start port 62 and can enter. Ease is improved. This lottery determination is a lottery for determining whether or not to shift to a special game that is more advantageous to the player than a normal game, and is executed every time there is a ball entering the start port 62. The start winning detection device 74 is a sensor that detects the entry of a game ball into the start port 62, and generates start win information indicating the winning at the time of entering.

  The general winning opening 72 includes a general winning detecting device 73 for detecting the entering of a game ball. The general winning detection device 73 is a sensor that detects the entry of a game ball into the general winning opening 72, and generates general winning information indicating the winning at the time of winning.

  The special winning opening 66 includes a winning detection device 78 for detecting the entry of a game ball and a special winning opening solenoid 80 for opening the special winning opening 66. The winning detection device 78 is a sensor that detects the entry of a game ball into the big winning opening 66, and generates big winning opening winning information indicating the winning at the time of winning. The big winning opening 66 is a horizontal rectangular winning opening that is opened as a “big hit” in a special game that starts when the special symbol 192 stops in a predetermined manner. The big winning opening 66 is provided at a position above the out opening 58, for example. The number of the big winning openings 66 is not limited to a single arrangement, and a plurality of large winning openings 66 may be installed and used depending on the gaming state or the like. The winning detection device 78 of the big winning opening 66 includes a sensor that detects the passage of a game ball.

  The special symbol display device 61 provided on the left side of the game area 52 and the effect display device 60 provided in the approximate center of the game area 52 have a variation of the special symbol 192 on each screen and a decoration linked to the special symbol 192. Changes in the effect image including the pattern 190 are displayed. Hereinafter, such display is referred to as “design variation” or “variation display”.

  The special symbol display device 61 is a display device composed of, for example, 7 segment LEDs. The special symbol 192 is a symbol corresponding to the determination result of the lottery performed when the game ball falls into the start port 62. When the symbol mode when the special symbol 192 is stopped is the symbol that is determined in advance, the timing at which the symbol is displayed is the big hit occurrence timing. The stop symbol is a symbol to be displayed at the end of symbol variation. The special symbol 192 represented by the combination of segments in this embodiment is not necessarily a letter or number body, and is a generally meaningless symbol formed by a combination of segments constituting a 7-segment LED. It's okay. These symbols are replaced one after another at a high speed and displayed on the special symbol display device 61, whereby the symbol variation display of the special symbol 192 is realized. Further, the 7-segment LED may be composed of 8 segments including 7 segments forming “eight-letter shape” and 1 segment representing “dot”. In this case, a numerical value for 8 bits can be expressed by combining 8 segments. Further, the special symbol display device 61 may be an LED dot array that is not a 7-segment LED, and a plurality of types of special symbols 192 may be expressed by combinations of lighting patterns and lighting colors.

  The effect display device 60 is a display device configured by a liquid crystal display that displays the decorative symbol 190 in a variable manner in conjunction with the variable symbol display of the special symbol 192. The decorative symbol 190 is a symbol for visually producing the lottery determination result display indicated by the special symbol 192. The effect display device 60 displays, for example, a moving image that fluctuates a plurality of rows of symbols simulating a game of a slot machine as a decorative symbol 190 in the central area of the screen. In this embodiment, symbols composed of numbers “0” to “9” are displayed and varied in three columns, and hit or miss is indicated by three symbol combinations that are finally stopped and displayed. Each of the plurality of symbols constituting the decorative symbol 190 is composed of numbers, characters, or symbols that are decorated with colors or patterns, but these symbols, characters, or symbols are common to all symbols. You may comprise in the form which adds a different pattern for every and integrates them. This pattern is a pattern on which a motif related to the theme of decoration or production set for the model of the pachinko gaming machine 10 is drawn, and for example, a pattern on which a character of a person or an animal is drawn may be used. The decorative pattern 190 is switched according to the development of the effect between the case where the design that includes the design is variably displayed and the case where the design is separated and only the numbers, characters, and symbols are variably displayed. It may be a configuration. On the background of the variation display of the decoration symbol 190, a moving image having a staging effect related to the theme of decoration or production set for the model of the pachinko gaming machine 10 is displayed in conjunction with the symbol variation.

  The effect display device 60 is configured by a high-definition dot matrix type display device such as a liquid crystal display in this embodiment, but may be configured by a mechanical display unit such as a drum rotation type or a display unit such as an LED matrix type. Good. Since the special symbol 192 does not necessarily have a role of production, in this embodiment, the special symbol display device 61 on the lower left side of the production display device 60 is displayed in an inconspicuous size. However, in the case of adopting a technique in which the special symbol itself has an effect role to express without using the decorative symbol, the special symbol may be displayed on the liquid crystal display instead of the 7-segment LED.

  The operation port 68 is provided at the left side position of the game board 50. The operation port 68 includes a passage detection device 69. The passage detection device 69 is a sensor that detects the passage of the game ball to the operation port 68, and generates passage information indicating the passage at the time of passage. The passage of the game ball to the operation port 68 triggers an open lottery that determines whether or not the expansion mechanism 63 is expanded. When the game ball passes through the operation port 68, a normal symbol, which is a symbol indicating the determination result of the open lottery, is variably displayed on the normal symbol display device 59. Therefore, the open lottery is also called “ordinary symbol lottery”. The normal symbol display device 59 in this embodiment is composed of two lamps for convenience, and the display state of the normal symbols is expressed by which of these lamps is lit. For example, when the first lamp is turned off and the second lamp is hit, the normal symbol fluctuation display is expressed by alternately turning on and off, and finally one of the lights is turned on. A stop symbol of a normal symbol is expressed by being stopped in the state. The normal symbol display device 59 is provided on the lower right side of the effect display device 60. After a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the change, the normal symbol change display stops. At this time, in the normal state, the normal symbol stops at the winning symbol with a low probability of, for example, about 1/256, and in the easy entry state described later, the normal symbol is in the winning symbol with a high probability of, for example, about 250/256. Stop. When the normal symbol stops at the winning symbol, the expansion mechanism 63 is expanded for a predetermined time. The opening time of the spreading mechanism 63 is, for example, 0.1 seconds in the normal state, and 6 seconds in the easy entry state.

  A center ornament 64 is provided around the effect display device 60. The center decoration 64 has functions such as a flow path of the game ball, protection of the effect display device 60, and decoration. The special symbol hold display device 20 is provided at the lower left portion of the game area 52, and the normal symbol hold display device 22 is provided below the normal symbol display device 59 at the lower right portion of the game area 52, which is the symmetrical position. ing.

  The special symbol hold display device 20 is composed of four lamps, and displays the number of lottery holds depending on the number of lights. The number of lottery holds is the number of lottery values won in the starting slot 62 during symbol variation or special game, and indicates the number of winning balls for which symbol variation has not yet been executed. When the number of lottery holds is three, the symbol variation time in the case of a loss is shortened from the normal time in order to increase game efficiency (hereinafter also referred to as “shortening variation”). Similarly, when the number of pending lottery holds is 4, in order to further increase the game efficiency, the symbol variation time in the case of losing is further shortened than in the case of the above 3 (hereinafter also referred to as “super shortened variation”). ).

  The normal symbol hold display device 22 is also composed of four lamps, and displays the number of normal symbol fluctuation hold depending on the number of lights. The number of normal symbol fluctuations held is the number of game balls that have passed through the operation port 68 during the fluctuation of the normal symbol, and indicates the number of normal symbol lotteries for which the fluctuation of the normal symbol has not yet been executed.

  Game effect lamps 90 are respectively provided above and below the effect display device 60. The operation button 82 is an operation input unit that is operated by the player to input a predetermined instruction to the gaming machine, and changes are made to the contents of the effect according to the contents of the operation input. The operation button 82 is provided on the outer wall surface near the upper ball tray 15. Although the operation button 82 in this embodiment is composed of one button, it may be composed of a plurality of buttons and direction instruction buttons such as a cross key. The movable accessory 140 is a movable object whose operation is controlled in conjunction with the effect, and plays an effect role by the operation. For example, the movable accessory 140 operates in response to an operation input via the operation button 82 by the player.

  An outline of a game method and a control flow performed in the above configuration will be described. When the player turns the launch handle 17 by hand, the game balls stored in the upper ball tray 15 are guided one by one to the inner rail 56 and the outer rail 54 with a strength corresponding to the turning angle, thereby playing the game area. To 52. When the player fixes the rotation position of the firing handle 17 by hand, the game ball is repeatedly fired at regular time intervals. The game ball launched to the upper part of the game area 52 falls in a direction according to the way of hitting while hitting a plurality of game nails and windmills. When a game ball is dropped into each of the general winning port 72, the start port 62, and the big winning port 66, the winning ball corresponding to the type of the winning port is paid out to the upper ball plate 15 or the lower ball plate 16. A game ball dropped into each winning hole such as the general winning hole 72 is processed as a safe ball, and a game ball dropped into the out hole 58 is processed as an out ball. Each winning opening includes a gate type through which a game ball passes. In this application, “incoming”, “entering”, and “winning” include “passing”.

  When the game ball falls into the start port 62, the special symbol 192 and the decorative symbol 190 are variably displayed on the special symbol display device 61 and the effect display device 60. The variation display of the special symbol 192 and the decorative symbol 190 is stopped after the lapse of the variation display time determined prior to the display. The special symbol 192 is variably displayed in accordance with a variation pattern in which a variation mode from the variation start to the stop is determined. The decorative symbol 190 is variably displayed according to a variation effect pattern in which a variation mode from the start to the end of the variation is determined. A plurality of types of variation patterns and variation production patterns are prepared, and each has various variation times. While the special symbol 192 is variably displayed according to the variation pattern, the decorative symbol 190 is variably displayed according to the variation effect pattern having the same variation time. In the variation pattern, a variation display time is determined for each pattern as an end condition of the symbol variation, and the variation of the special symbol 192 and the decorative symbol 190 is stopped when the variation display time elapses.

  As a variation display of the decorative symbol 190, first, as the variation starts, the symbols are varied in all three columns like the reel rotation of the slot machine, and when it approaches the variation end timing, it is stopped one by one as a final stop mode. The symbol combination is displayed. When the special symbol 192 and the decorative symbol 190 at the time of the stop are in a stop mode indicating a big hit, the game shifts to a special game that is more advantageous to the player than the normal game, and the opening / closing operation of the big prize opening 66 is started. The The stop mode of the decorative symbol 190 indicating a big hit is, for example, a combination mode in which the types of three symbols match.

  The variation effect pattern includes a normal loss effect pattern, a reach failure effect pattern, and a reach jackpot effect pattern. The normal off effect pattern is an effect pattern for displaying a normal off symbol combination. The reach out effect pattern is an effect pattern for displaying an out symbol combination through a reach state, which is a big win if one more symbols are arranged. The reach jackpot effect pattern is an effect pattern when displaying a jackpot symbol combination through the reach state. In particular, the patterns when reaching the reach state include patterns with various long and short fluctuation times. Reach patterns with relatively short fluctuation times are called “normal reach”, and reach patterns with long fluctuation times are called “super reach”. ".

  The special game is started by displaying an effect screen called start demonstration time. After the start demonstration time is displayed on the screen, the grand prize winning opening 66 is opened, and after the opening lasts for about 30 seconds, or after nine or more game balls have dropped in, it is temporarily closed. From such opening to closing of the big prize opening 66 is basically called a unit game, but it may be repeated a plurality of short-time opening during one unit game. After the opening / closing of the special prize opening 66 or the unit game is repeated a predetermined number of times, for example, 15 times, the special game is ended by displaying an effect screen called an end demo time. On the other hand, when the winning lottery corresponds to a result called “small hit”, the small hit game is executed. The small hit is a result included in the losing as the determination result of the success / failure lottery. The small hit game is a unit game executed in a manner similar to some types of special games. However, the unit game executed as a small hit game is only one time, which is different from a special game in which a plurality of unit games are executed.

  In the normal game after the end of the special game, the fluctuation time of the special symbol 192 and the decorative symbol 190, which are one of the specific games, is started (hereinafter referred to as “time reduction” as appropriate). The time shortening of the special symbol 192 and the decorative symbol 190 is a state in which the variation time of the special symbol 192 and the decorative symbol 190 is shortened from the normal state. The variation time of the special symbol 192 and the decoration symbol 190 is returned to the original variation time after a predetermined variation number, for example, 100 variation display, but if the big hit occurs before the variation number is reached, the time is shortened. Also ends. Due to the shortening of time, the variation time of the special symbol 192 and the decorative symbol 190 is shortened, so that it is possible to shorten the time until the big hit occurs compared to the normal state where the symbol variation is performed with the normal variation time. Therefore, it is possible to relatively increase the jackpot acquisition ease.

  During the time shortening of the special symbol 192 and the decorative symbol 190, the easy entry state which is one of the specific games is performed. The easy entry state is a state in which the ease of entering the starting port 62 is enhanced by executing the short time of the normal symbol, the probability variation of the open lottery, and the open extension of the expansion mechanism 63. The normal symbol time reduction is a state in which the variation time of the normal symbol is shortened from the normal state. The probability variation of the open lottery is a state in which the winning probability of the open lottery is higher than the normal state. The opening extension of the spreading mechanism 63 is a state in which the opening time of the spreading mechanism 63 is longer than the normal state. As described above, in the easy entry state, the possibility that the number of fluctuations of the normal symbol per certain time increases as compared to the normal state increases, and the ease of entering the start opening 62 also increases. There is a high possibility that the number of entering will increase. Therefore, due to the shortened time of the special symbol 192 and the decorative symbol 190 and the easy entry state, the chance to obtain a winning ball by entering the starting port 62 increases during that period, and as a result, the player can play the game with little decrease in possession. It is possible to continue.

  Note that the easy entry state in the present embodiment increases the ease of entering the starting port 62 by using three functions such as a short time for a normal symbol, a probability variation of an open lottery, and an open / extended extension of the expansion mechanism 63. However, as a modification, it is good also as a structure which improves the entrance ease to the starting port 62 using one or two functions among these three functions. Thus, even if only a part of the three functions is used, it is possible to improve the ease of entering the starting port 62. Moreover, it is good also as a structure which switches according to a gaming state at least any one of three functions by the period to implement and the period which does not implement.

  When a special game occurs and the winning stop pattern at that time is in a specific mode, the probability variation game of the winning lottery (hereinafter referred to as “probability change” as appropriate) that is one of the specific games after the end of the special game ) Is further started. During the chance change of the winning / failing lottery, the winning / failing lottery with a higher probability of winning than the normal probability state is performed, and a new special game can be generated relatively early. The probability change of the success / failure lottery is continued until the next big hit occurs, but as a modification, it may be configured to end when a predetermined limited number of symbol changes are made. In this embodiment, the special symbol 192 and the decorative symbol 190 are started at the same time as when the probability change is started, and the easy entry state is also started. May be executed.

  FIG. 2 shows a basic structure on the back side of the pachinko gaming machine. The power switch 40 is a switch for turning on / off the power of the pachinko gaming machine 10. The main board 102 controls the overall operation of the pachinko gaming machine 10 and processes all game operations such as a lottery when a winning is made to the start port 62. The sub board 104 includes the liquid crystal unit 42 and controls display contents on the effect display device 60, operations of the plurality of movable objects 140, and lighting of the game effect lamp 90, and in particular, display contents according to the determination result by the main board 102. And the lighting of the movable accessory 140 and the game effect lamp 90 is activated along with the progress of the production. The main board 102 and the sub board 104 constitute a game control device 100. The back setting mechanism 39 includes a prize ball tank 44, a flow path for prize balls, a payout unit 43 for delivering prize balls. The payout unit 43 pays out the game balls supplied from the winning ball tank 44 to the upper ball tray 15 in accordance with winning in each winning opening. The payout control board 45 controls the payout operation by the payout unit 43. The launching device 46 launches the stored balls in the upper ball tray 15 to the game area 52 one by one. The launch control board 47 controls the launch operation of the launch device 46. The power supply unit 48 supplies power to each part of the pachinko gaming machine 10.

  FIG. 3 shows functional blocks of the pachinko gaming machine 10 in this embodiment. In the pachinko gaming machine 10, the game control device 100 includes a start port 62, a big winning port 66, a general winning port 72, an operating port 68, a special symbol display device 61, an effect display device 60, a normal symbol display device 59, and operation buttons 82. The speaker 18, the game effect lamp 90, and the movable accessory 140 are electrically connected to each other, and can transmit and receive various control signals. The game control apparatus 100 controls not only the basic operation of the game but also the staging operations such as the symbol variation display, the movable accessory 140, and the electric decoration. The game control device 100 is configured in such a manner that functions are shared between a main board 102 that controls the overall operation of the pachinko gaming machine 10 including basic operations of the game, and a sub board 104 that controls design effects and the like. The game control device 100 is configured by hardware including elements such as a ROM and a RAM for storing data and programs, and a CPU used for arithmetic processing.

  In the present embodiment, the main board 102 is a ball determination unit 110, a winning / failing lottery unit 112, a symbol determination unit 114, a variation pattern determination unit 115, a hold control unit 116, a main display control unit 118, a special game control unit 120, a specific game. An execution unit 122 and an opening / closing control unit 124 are provided. The sub-board 104 in the present embodiment includes a pattern storage unit 130, a design mode determination unit 131, an effect determination unit 132, an effect display control unit 134, and an accessory control unit 136. Each functional block included in the main board 102 may be configured such that any one of the functional blocks is mounted on the sub board 104 instead of the main board 102. Similarly, each functional block included in the sub-board 104 may be configured such that any one of them is mounted on the main board 102 instead of the sub-board 104.

  However, since the transmission / reception of data between the main board 102 and the sub board 104 is unidirectional from the main board 102 to the sub board 104, each data transmission / reception in such a direction can realize each operation. The configuration is arranged on the main board 102 and the sub board 104. In this way, since the unidirectionality of data transmission from the main board 102 to the sub board 104 is maintained, data cannot be transmitted from the configuration included in the sub board 104 to the configuration included in the main board 102. It is not possible to request data transmission. Therefore, the information generated on the main board 102 cannot be referred to from the sub board 104 unless the main board 102 unilaterally transmits the information to the sub board 104.

  The entrance determination means 110 determines whether or not a game ball has entered each winning opening. When receiving the start winning information, the winning determination means 110 determines that the game ball has won the start opening 62, and when receiving the big winning opening winning information, determines that the game ball has won the big winning opening 66, and the general winning is obtained. When the information is received, it is determined that the game ball has won the general winning opening 72. When receiving the passage information, the ball entering determination unit 110 determines that the game ball has passed through the operation port 68.

  The success / failure lottery means 112 obtains, as a success / failure lottery value, a random number value for determining whether or not to shift to a special game that is more advantageous to the player than the normal game when the starting hole 62 is entered. To do. For example, the success / failure lottery value is acquired from a value range from “0” to “65535”. The “random number” in the present application may not be a mathematically generated random number, but may be a pseudo-random number generated by a hardware random number, a software random number, or the like. The value acquired as the success / failure lottery value by the success / failure lottery means 112 is temporarily held by the hold control means 116. However, the lottery value is held within a range not exceeding the predetermined holding upper limit number.

  The success / failure lottery means 112 holds a plurality of success / failure tables to be referred to in the success / failure determination. In the plurality of success / failure tables, determination results of big hits, small wins, and misses are associated with the success / failure lottery values, and the success / failure probabilities are determined according to the associated jackpot range settings. The success / failure lottery means 112 refers to the success / failure table based on the normal probability at the normal time, and refers to the success / failure table whose probability of winning is higher than the normal probability when the probability changes. The success / failure lottery means 112 refers to any of the plurality of success / failure tables and determines whether or not the success / failure lottery value is a win.

  The success / failure lottery means 112 acquires a lottery value as an open lottery for determining a normal symbol when the game ball passes through the operation port 68. The success / failure lottery means 112 holds a success / failure table in which the correspondence between the lottery value of the open lottery and the success / failure result is determined, and determines the success / failure result of the open lottery with reference to the success / failure table. In the normal state, the winning / failing table with a probability of 1/256 is referred to, and in the easy entry state, the winning / failing table with a probability of 250/256 is referred to. The lottery value of the normal symbol is temporarily held by the hold control means 116. However, the lottery value is held only when the predetermined hold upper limit number held by the hold control means 116 is not exceeded.

  The success / failure lottery means 112 determines whether or not to shift to the special game or the small hit game based on the success / failure lottery value, and whether or not the lottery value range in the success / failure determination corresponds to the prior / presence Make a decision. The success / failure lottery means 112 holds a success / failure determination table and a prior / failure determination table to be referred to in the determination of success / failure. In addition, in order to distinguish especially the prior / failure determination that is performed when starting the symbol variation, it is also referred to as “predetermined whether or not the main determination is appropriate”.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing the success / failure determination table. The success / failure determination table in this figure associates determination results of big hits, small hits and misses, and winning / failing lottery values. Depending on the respective range settings, the hit / failure probabilities of big hits and small hits are determined. Is determined. The success / failure lottery means 112 refers to the success / failure determination table of FIG. In the success / failure lottery performed by the success / failure lottery means 112, in the normal state, as shown in FIG. 4 (a), only when the success / failure lottery value falls within the range of 0 to 399 is a big hit. At the time of certainty change, as shown in FIG. 4B, the range of the big hit is expanded, and not only when the winning / losing lottery value falls within the range of 0 to 399 but also when the lottery falls within the range of 400 to 2999. Thus, the range corresponding to the big hit changes according to the gaming state. In the case of hitting a big hit, whether it is a 15R big hit or a 2R big hit and whether or not there is a probability change is determined separately according to the stop symbol of the special symbol. In this figure, the single hit / fail judgment table shows the big hit range for both normal time and probability change, but the success / fail judgment table may be prepared separately for normal time and for probability change.

  In the present embodiment, even if the winning / raising lottery value does not correspond to the big hit range, that is, a so-called out of range, it becomes a small hit if it falls within the predetermined range. In the example of this figure, when the success / failure lottery value acquired by the success / failure lottery means 112 falls within the range of 65000 to 65535, it is a small hit. In this way, if it does not correspond to the big hit, it is all “out”, but in the example in this figure, the winning lottery value range when it does not correspond to the small hit out of the cases where it does not correspond to the big hit Is expressed as “displacement”. In addition, although the example which implement | achieved the determination table of whether it is a big hit and the determination table of whether it is a small win in the figure in the form of a single winning / nothing determination table was shown in this figure, each may be implement | achieved as a separate table. Good.

  Returning to FIG. 3, the determination result by the success / failure lottery means 112 is variably displayed in a special symbol form on the special symbol display device 61. In addition, a decorative symbol that shows the determination result by the success / failure lottery means 112 in an effect manner is variably displayed on the effect display device 60. The success / failure lottery means 112 transmits the lottery determination result corresponding to the symbol variation to the symbol mode determining unit 131 and the effect determining unit 132 together with the symbol variation control command at the timing of starting the symbol variation.

  The winning / failing lottery means 112 executes a prior / presence determination as to a lottery value range in the determination of whether or not the lottery value corresponds as a pre-determination process at the timing of entering the starting port 62, and the determination result is used as a symbol form It transmits to the determination means 131 and the effect determination means 132. The result of the preliminary determination process is temporarily stored, and then transmitted to the symbol mode determination unit 131 and the effect determination unit 132 regardless of whether or not the symbol variation display corresponding to the lottery is immediately started. Therefore, for the sub-board 104 side, a so-called “prefetch” process is realized in which the result of the success / failure can be presumably recognized in advance before the order of the start of symbol variation comes around. As described later, the pre-reading process may be configured to transmit all the information of the determination result of the success / failure determination, the symbol determination, and the pattern determination to the sub-board 104 and use it as the pre-reading process. Alternatively, the sub-board 104 may use only one or two determination results among the received information. In addition, the presence / absence of the received information and the type of information to be used may be determined according to the gaming state such as probability change, time reduction, and easy entry state. Further, as processing in the main board 102, whether or not advance determination is possible, whether or not prior determination results are transmitted, and the type of information for performing prior determination or prior determination result transmission may be appropriately set according to the state of the game.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing a prior success / failure determination table referred to in prior advance / failure determination. The success / failure lottery means 112 refers to this prior success / failure determination table, and when the success / failure lottery value is “0 to 399”, sets a value of “1” indicating a big hit in the success / failure range as a determination result. In the case where the winning / losing lottery value is “400 to 2999”, a value of “2” indicating that it is out of the normal state but is a big hit if it is in a probable variation state is set as the determining range. When the winning / failing lottery value is “3,000 to 64999”, a value “3” indicating a deviation is set as a determination result. When the winning / losing lottery value is “65000 to 65535”, a value of “4” indicating a small hit is set as the winning / incoming range as a determination result. Each time the success / failure lottery means 112 sets the success / failure range as described above, the value is sent to the symbol form determining means 131 and the effect determining means 132 together with the number of suspensions. As a modified example, a relationship in which a plurality of determination results are associated with a single range of success / failure lot values may be defined as a correspondence relationship between the range of success / failure lottery values and the determination result. In this case, there is a possibility that the determination result is different from the actual determination result, but it may be a correspondence that may intentionally set an incorrect determination result that does not necessarily match the actual determination result.

  Returning to FIG. 3, the symbol determination unit 114 determines the stop symbol at the start of symbol variation based on the symbol lottery value acquired separately and the result of the determination of success / failure, and the symbol lottery value corresponds to any symbol range. The prior symbol determination is executed. The symbol determination means 114 holds a plurality of symbol determination tables and a prior symbol determination table that are referred to in order to determine a special symbol stop symbol. The symbol determination means 114 refers to a symbol determination table that differs depending on the determination result. In addition, in order to distinguish the symbol determination performed in starting symbol variation especially from prior symbol determination, it is also referred to as “symbol determination as the main determination” as appropriate.

  The symbol determination means 114 determines the stop symbol of the normal symbol to be displayed on the normal symbol display device 59 according to the determination result of the open lottery by the success / failure lottery means 112. The symbol determination means 114 determines the stop symbol of the normal symbol in accordance with the determination result of the open lottery in order to display the determination result of the open lottery on the normal symbol display device 59 in the form of a normal symbol. When the determined stop symbol becomes a predetermined symbol, it is determined that the normal symbol is a hit, and after the change display of the normal symbol is stopped at the stop symbol, the opening / closing control means 124 expands the start port 62. The opening mechanism 63 is expanded for a predetermined time.

  The symbol determination unit 114 sends data indicating the determined stop symbol to the main display control unit 118, the symbol mode determination unit 131, and the effect determination unit 132.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing a symbol determination table. FIG. 6A is a table that is referred to when the determination result is a big hit, FIG. 6B is a table that is referred to when the determination result is wrong, and FIG. This table is referred to when the determination result is a small hit. The symbol determination means 114 refers to the symbol determination table of this figure in the symbol determination as the main determination. In the symbol determination table, a correspondence relationship between numbers “0” to “10” indicating the types of special symbols and symbol lottery values is defined. The types of special symbols are associated with the big hit, small hit, and unsuccessful determination results, with “0” to “4” corresponding to the big hit, “5” to “9” corresponding to the big hit, “10” corresponds to a loss. Each type is assigned a plurality of special symbols, that is, a plurality of symbols that are generally meaningless and formed by a combination of segments.

  As shown in FIG. 6A, special symbol types “0” to “4” are associated with jackpots. Among them, the type “0” indicates 15R big hit with certainty and is associated with the symbol lottery value range “0 to 99”. The type “1” indicates a 2R jackpot with certainty and is associated with the symbol lottery value range “100 to 149”. Types “2” to “4” indicate 15R big hits without any probability change, type “2” is associated with symbol range “150 to 189”, and type “3” is associated with “190 to 229” The type “4” is associated with “230 to 255”. Thus, the selection probability for each jackpot type is determined by the size of the symbol lottery value range.

  As shown in FIG. 6B, the type “10” is associated with the entire range of symbol lottery values in the case where the determination result is wrong.

  As shown in FIG. 6C, special symbol types “5” to “9” are associated with small hits. The type “5” is associated with the symbol lottery value range “0-49”, and the type “6” is associated with the symbol lottery value range “50-99”. The type “7” is associated with the symbol lottery value range “100 to 149”, the type “8” is associated with the symbol lottery value range “150 to 199”, and the type “9” is the symbol lottery value range. Corresponding to “200 to 255”.

  Note that the table in FIG. 6 is also referred to as the prior symbol determination table in the prior symbol determination. The first winning / failing determination means 113 and the second winning / failing determination means 117 indicate that the value of “0” to “10” indicating the type of the special symbol is the first lottery or the second lottery as a result of the prior symbol determination. It is transmitted to the effect determining means 132 together with the indicated value and the number of holds.

  Returning to FIG. 3, the variation pattern determining means 115 performs a plurality of variations based on the pattern lottery values separately acquired for the variation pattern in which the symbol variation display process to be displayed on the special symbol display device 61 and the effect display device 60 is determined. The pattern is determined and sent to the main display control means 118. The variation pattern determination means 115 determines a variation pattern of the symbol variation with reference to the variation pattern table when the symbol variation is started. In addition, the variation pattern determination unit 115 performs a prior pattern determination as to which variation pattern range the pattern lottery value corresponds to. The variation pattern determination means 115 holds a variation pattern table and a prior pattern determination table that are referred to for determining a variation pattern. In the variation pattern, a variation time from a variation start to a stop when the special symbol is variably displayed is determined, and has various variation times depending on the type. That is, for each variation pattern, a variation display time is defined for each pattern as an end condition of the symbol variation, and the variation of the special symbol is stopped when the variation display time elapses. It should be noted that the variation pattern determination executed when starting the symbol variation is also referred to as “variation pattern determination as the main determination” as appropriate in order to distinguish it from the prior pattern determination.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically showing the variation pattern table. The variation pattern determining means 115 refers to the variation pattern table of this figure in the variation pattern determination as the main determination. The variation pattern determining means 115 refers to the variation pattern table for removal shown in FIG. 7A when the result of the determination is wrong. When the determination result is a 15R jackpot, the fluctuation pattern table for 15R jackpot shown in FIG. 7B is referred to. When the determination result is 2R big hit or small hit, the variation pattern table for 2R big hit and small hit shown in FIG. 7C is referred to.

  In FIG. 7A, the pattern lottery values 0 to 10 are associated with a super reach “super 1”, and the pattern lottery values 11 to 20 are associated with a super reach “super 2”. The pattern lottery values 21 to 255 are associated with any variation pattern of “normal 1”, “normal 2”, and “no reach”. As described above, when the result of the determination is wrong, any one of super reach, normal reach, and no reach may be selected. In the variation pattern table for detachment, when a variation pattern of “no reach” is selected, a different table is referred to so that a variation pattern having a shorter variation time than the normal state is selected in the short time state. Further, the deviation variation pattern table is defined so that the column to be referred to is different depending on the number of holdings. The details of the normal state as an example will be described later with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 7B, the super lot of “super 1” is associated with the pattern lottery values 0 to 120, and the super reach of “super 2” is associated with the pattern lottery values 121 to 240. The pattern lottery values 241 to 250 are associated with the reach of “normal 1”, and the pattern lottery values 251 to 255 are associated with the reach of “normal 2”. As described above, when the determination result is 15R big hit, the variation pattern with reach is selected.

  In FIG. 7C, the pattern lottery values 0 to 122 are associated with the super reach “super 3”, and the pattern lottery values 123 to 255 are associated with the normal reach “normal 3”. As described above, when the determination result is 2R big hit or small hit, “Super 3” or “Normal 3” is selected with a probability of about 50%.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically illustrating a prior pattern determination table referred to in prior pattern determination. The variation pattern determination means 115 refers to the table of FIG. 8A when the result is wrong, and when the pattern lottery value is “0 to 10”, the value “1” indicating that is used as the determination result. Set to the pattern range. When the pattern lottery value is “11 to 20”, the value “2” indicating that is set in the pattern range as the determination result. When the pattern lottery value is “21 to 255”, the value “3” indicating that is set in the pattern range as the determination result.

  The variation pattern determination means 115 refers to the table of FIG. 8B when the result is a 15R big hit, and when the pattern lottery value is “0 to 120”, the value “4” indicating that is the determination result. Set the pattern range as. When the pattern lottery value is “121 to 240”, the value “5” indicating that is set in the pattern range as the determination result. When the pattern lottery value is “241 to 250”, the value “6” indicating that is set in the pattern range as the determination result. When the pattern lottery value is “251 to 255”, the value “7” indicating that is set in the pattern range as the determination result.

  The variation pattern determining means 115 refers to the table of FIG. 8C when the result is 2R big hit or small hit, and when the pattern lottery value is “0 to 122”, a value of “8” indicating that fact Is set to the pattern range as the determination result. When the pattern lottery value is “123 to 255”, the value “9” indicating that is set in the pattern range as the determination result. Whenever the pattern range is set as described above, the variation pattern determination unit 115 transmits the value to the symbol mode determination unit 131 and the effect determination unit 132 together with the number of holdings.

  Returning to FIG. 3, the fluctuation pattern determination means 115 determines the fluctuation display time of the normal symbol. In the normal state, the variable display time is determined to be 60 seconds, and in the easy entry state, the variable display time is determined to be 6 seconds.

  When there is a new entry at the start port 62 and a new winning / failing lottery is executed, the holding control means 116 displays a new entry when a symbol change corresponding to the previous entry or lottery is displayed. The start of symbol variation based on is suspended, and the corresponding lottery value is stored until the corresponding symbol variation display starts. In the present embodiment, the winning lottery value is stored as a holding ball with an upper limit of four. The success / failure lottery value here includes a success / failure lottery value, a symbol lottery value, and a variation pattern lottery value. The holding control means 116 may further store the setting of the success / failure range, the symbol range, and the pattern range as the prior determination result as a holding ball. However, the result of the prior determination may be stored in a different area from the winning / raising lottery value. The hold control means 116 further stores the usual lottery value acquired by the success / failure lottery means 112 as a hold ball. These numbers of holdings are represented by the number of lighting or blinking numbers of the special symbol holding display device 20 and the normal symbol holding display device 22, respectively.

  The main display control unit 118 causes the special symbol display device 61 to display the lottery determination result by the success / failure lottery unit 112 as a variation display of the special symbol 192 according to the variation pattern determined by the variation pattern determination unit 115. The main display control means 118 sets a new symbol variation start condition that the symbol variation display corresponding to the success / failure lottery performed before that has ended. The main display control means 118 transmits a change start command and a change stop command to the effect display control means 134 at the timing for starting and stopping the change display of the special symbol 192. When transmitting the variation start command, the values indicating the determination result, the stop symbol, and the variation pattern determined as the main determination are transmitted to the effect display control means 134 together with the variation start command. When transmitting the variation stop command, a value indicating the stop symbol is transmitted to the effect display control means 134 together with the variation stop command. Thereby, the fluctuation display by the main display control means 118 and the effect display control means 134 is synchronized, and the interlock is maintained. The main display control means 118 displays the determination result of the normal symbol lottery on the normal symbol display device 59 as a normal symbol variation display.

  The special game control means 120 indicates that the special game operation condition is established when the special symbol 192 is stopped in a predetermined big hit mode when the success / failure lottery by the success / failure lottery means 112 results in the transition to the special game. A special game is executed by determining and opening the special winning opening 66. The special game is a game in which the opening / closing operation of the special winning opening 66 is continuously performed a plurality of times, and is configured by a plurality of unit games with one opening / closing as a unit. Special games include a 15R jackpot that repeats a unit game 15 times and a 2R jackpot that repeats a unit game that has a shorter opening time than the 15R jackpot only twice. In the case of 15R jackpot, in principle, the big winning opening 66 is opened for about 30 seconds in one unit game. In the case of 2R big hit, the big winning opening 66 is opened for about 0.5 seconds in one unit game. The special game control means 120 ends the special game when the set round number of unit games is exhausted. Even in the case of 2R big hit, if the predetermined condition is satisfied, the big winning opening 66 may be opened in the same manner as the 15R big hit.

  The specific game executing means 122 controls the normal game in the probability changing state, the short time state, and the easy-to-enter state. The specific game execution means 122 shifts the game state to the time-saving state and the easy-to-enter state after the end of the special game. On the other hand, the transition to the probability variation state after the end of the special game is limited to the case where the symbol determined by the symbol determination means 114 is a big hit symbol accompanied by the transition to probability variation. The short-time state and the easy-to-enter state are continued until the number of times that the special symbol 192 is changed from the end of the special game reaches a predetermined number of end conditions, for example, 100 times. However, when the state changes to the probability changing state at the same time, as long as the probability changing state continues, the short time state and the easy entry state are continued. That is, it continues until the next big hit occurs. Thus, the end of the short time state and the easy entry state is determined according to the gaming state. In the short time state, the fluctuation pattern determining means 115 selects a fluctuation pattern having a short fluctuation time so that the fluctuation display time of the special symbol 192 is substantially shortened. However, in a normal state, a fluctuation pattern table corresponding to the number of hold of the success / failure lottery value by the hold control unit 116 is referred to, and a change pattern with a long change time is likely to appear as the number of hold by the hold control unit 116 decreases. In the easy entry state, the normal symbol time is shortened, the normal symbol probability change, and the expansion mechanism 63 is opened and extended. On the other hand, the probability variation state is continued until a special game with the next jackpot is executed. During the probable change state, the probability that the success / failure determination result by the success / failure lottery means 112 is a big hit is maintained at a high value.

  The small hit game control means 121 executes the small hit game when the determination result of the lottery determination is a small hit. The small hit game control means 121 executes the unit game only once as the small hit game, and, for example, opens the big winning opening 66 for 0.5 seconds and 0.5 seconds in the unit game.

  The opening / closing control means 124 controls the opening / closing of the ordinary electric accessory at the start opening 62 and the special winning opening 66. When the normal symbol is stopped at a specific symbol, the opening / closing control unit 124 sends an opening instruction to the ordinary electric accessory solenoid 76 to open the start port 62. Further, the opening / closing control means 124 sends an opening instruction to the special winning opening solenoid 80 during the special game, and opens the special winning opening 66.

  The pattern storage means 130 holds a plurality of effect patterns in which effect image contents to be displayed on the effect display device 60 in the variation of the decorative design 190 and the display process thereof are determined. The effect pattern is displayed separately from a plurality of variable effect patterns in which the change process from start to stop of the change and the change process in the change display of the decorative pattern 190 and the change display of the decorative pattern are displayed, and the degree of expectation for the jackpot And a plurality of notice effect patterns that suggest the height of the notice before the change display stops.

  The effect determining means 132 determines the contents of the effect displayed on the effect display device 60 by the effect display control means 134 according to the determination result of the success / failure received from the success / failure lottery means 112. The effect determining means 132 selects one of a plurality of change effect pattern data corresponding to the change pattern of the special symbol determined by the change pattern determining means 115, reads out the data from the pattern storage means 130, and obtains information on the change effect pattern. This is sent to the effect display control means 134. The effect determining means 132 holds a pattern table that should be referred to in order to select a variable effect pattern.

  Each variation effect pattern has a variation time for each pattern as an end condition of the symbol variation, and the symbol variation is stopped when the variation time elapses. The effect determining unit 132 selects a variation effect pattern of the effect image having the same variation time according to the variation pattern of the special symbol.

  The symbol pattern determining unit 131 determines the combination of stop symbols of the decorative symbol 190 and the arrangement thereof according to the determination result of the success / failure lottery unit 112, the special symbol stop symbol, the special symbol variation pattern, and the decorative symbol variation effect pattern. To decide. The symbol form determination unit 131 transmits information indicating the determined combination of stop symbols to the effect display control unit 134. The symbol form determining means 131 holds a symbol range table to be referred to in order to determine the stop symbol of the decorative symbol.

  The stop symbol of the decorative symbol 190 is formed as a combination of three symbols. For example, when the determination result of the success / failure lottery means 112 indicates a transition to a special game of 15R jackpot, a specific combination such as “777” or “ A combination of three symbols such as “111” is selected. A specific combination, for example, a predetermined combination such as “357” is also selected when the result of the determination is a 2R big hit or a small hit, but the specific combination is not necessarily a combination of three symbols. It does not have to be. When the determination result is neither big hit nor small hit, it is a combination in which three symbols such as “312” and “946” are not arranged, and a specific combination selected at the time of 2R big hit or small hit A combination that does not apply is selected. When the determination result is not 15R big hit, and a variation pattern indicating a loss with reach is selected, a combination with only one symbol such as “191” or “727” is selected. .

  The notice effect pattern is an effect pattern for temporarily displaying an image, animation, video, or the like of a specific character or motif, or an effect pattern for outputting a specific sound. The effect by the notice effect pattern is executed in parallel with the symbol variation, and suggests that the symbol variation is highly expected to stop in the big hit mode. For example, there are a normal notice effect in which only one character image is displayed on the screen, and a group notice effect in which a large number of characters are displayed so as to pass from one end to the other end of the screen. Further, the display process of the notice effect is divided into a plurality of stages, and the number of stages to be displayed is made variable, and a step-up notice effect that is set such that the greater the number of stages is, the higher the degree of expectation for jackpot is included.

  The notice effect pattern includes a pattern in which the effect is executed at a timing after the display form of the decorative symbol 190 reaches the reach state and the final stop state of the symbol is notified, and no decorative symbol 190 is stopped. There is a pattern in which the performance is executed at the timing and the reach is reached at the same time.

  The effect determining means 132 determines whether or not to display the notice effect on the effect display device 60 according to the determination result of the success / failure by a predetermined notice lottery and sets a prior effect and determines a notice effect pattern to be displayed. To do. The effect determining means 132 holds a notice determination table that should be referred to in order to determine whether or not to display the notice effect, and a notice type table that should be referred to when selecting the type of the notice effect pattern. The notice decision table is set so that different columns are referenced according to the decision result, and the decision of success or failure is made so that the notice effect is displayed with a higher probability than the case of losing when the result is a winning lottery. Correspondence between whether to display the result and the notice effect is determined. Thereby, the high expectation degree to the big hit can be suggested by displaying the notice effect itself.

  The effect display control means 134 variably displays the effect image including the decorative pattern on the effect display device 60 according to the selected variation effect pattern data as the determination result of the success / failure by the success / failure lottery means 112. The effect display control means 134 starts a new symbol variation when a variation start command for the decorative symbol 190 is received.

  When it is determined by the effect determining unit 132 that the notice effect is displayed, the effect display control means 134 superimposes the notice effect in accordance with the selected notice effect pattern on the effect of symbol variation to the effect display device 60. Display. The effect display control means 134 further controls effect processing such as lighting and extinguishing of the game effect lamp 90 and sound output from the speaker 18.

  In accordance with the instruction received from the effect display control means 134, the accessory control means 136 causes the movable accessory 140 to act in an effect manner in accordance with the effect contents in the effect display device 60 and the blinking process of the game effect lamp 90.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing in detail a variation pattern table for detachment. In the variation pattern table 210 of this figure, the range of the pattern lottery value associated with the variation pattern is different for each number of holds. Specifically, the smaller the number of holds, the wider the range of pattern lottery values assigned to variation patterns with relatively long variation times, and the probability that variation patterns with long variation times will be selected is increased. . Therefore, the average fluctuation time becomes longer as the number of holdings by the holding control means 116 is smaller. Accordingly, when the number of holds by the hold control unit 116 is less than a predetermined number, for example, 1 to 2, the selection probability of the change pattern having a long change time becomes higher than usual, and the change time tends to be relatively long.

  The first column 212 shows the correspondence relationship between the pattern lottery value range and the variation pattern when the number of hold of the success / failure lottery value by the hold control means 116 is one. Similarly, in the second column 214, the third column 216, and the fourth column 218, the correspondence between the pattern lottery value range and the variation pattern when the number of hold of the success / failure lottery value by the hold control means 116 is 2, 3, and 4, respectively. The relationship is shown. That is, it can be considered that the first column 212, the second column 214, the third column 216, and the fourth column 218 indicate the variation pattern table for each number of holds. In this figure, an example will be described in which a plurality of variation patterns that can be selected at the time of deviation are classified into five types according to variation time, but actually, a plurality of variation effect patterns are prepared for each of these classifications. This is equivalent to the fact that dozens of types of variation effect patterns are associated with the lottery value ranges for each category. In order to compare the ratio of each pattern lottery value range in the second column 214, the third column 216, and the fourth column 218 in this figure with the ratio of the pattern lottery value range in the first column 212, Broken lines indicating the ratio of the pattern lottery value range are drawn in the second column 214, the third column 216, and the fourth column 218.

  The first range 222 includes any of the first column 212, the second column 214, the third column 216, and the fourth column 218 as a variation pattern when the lottery value corresponds to a pattern lottery value from 0 to 10. A super reach variation pattern of “super 1” is associated. The second range 224 includes any of the first column 212, the second column 214, the third column 216, and the fourth column 218 as a variation pattern when the lottery value corresponds to a pattern lottery value from 11 to 20. A super reach variation pattern of “super 2” is associated. Thus, in the case of the pattern lottery value with the lottery value from 0 to 10 and the pattern lottery value with the lottery value from 11 to 20, the variation pattern having the same variation time is selected regardless of the number of holdings.

  The third range 226 includes normal reach in the first column 212, the second column 214, the third column 216, and the fourth column 218 as a variation pattern when the lottery value corresponds to a pattern lottery value from 21 to 255, respectively. “Normal 1”, “Normal 2”, and “Reach without reach” are associated with each other. However, the range of pattern lottery values associated with each variation pattern varies depending on the number of holds. In the first column 212, the sizes of the lottery value ranges to which “normal 1”, “normal 2”, and “no reach” are associated are approximately equal, and the ranges obtained by dividing 21 to 255 into approximately three equal portions are associated with each other. Yes. On the other hand, in the second column 214, the size of the lottery value range associated with “normal 1” and “normal 2” is smaller than the lottery value range associated with “no reach”. Further, in the third column 216 and the fourth column 218, the size of the lottery value range associated with each of “normal 1” and “normal 2” is further reduced.

  The fluctuation time of “Normal 1” and “Normal 2” may be longer than the fluctuation time of “Out of reach”, and in the case of “Out of reach”, the fluctuation time may be shortened like a short time state. Depending on the setting contents of the third range 226, the average variation time varies. The pattern lottery value range for “Normal 1” and “Normal 2” decreases as the number of holds increases from 0 to 1, 2, 3, 4, and conversely the pattern lottery value range for “out of reach” increases. Therefore, the average fluctuation time becomes shorter as the number of holds increases, and conversely, the average change time becomes longer as the number of holds decreases. In this way, by using a variation pattern table in which the correspondence between the pattern lottery value range and the variation pattern is different for each number of holdings, control that makes it easy to select a variation pattern with a long variation time when the number of holdings decreases is realized. be able to.

  The variation pattern of “out of reach” associated with the third column 216 has a shorter variation time than the “out of reach” associated with the first column 212 and the second column 214, so-called “shortening variation”. This is the fluctuation pattern. Further, the fluctuation pattern of “out of reach” associated with the fourth column 218 has a shorter variation time than the “out of reach” associated with the first column 212 and the second column 214, and the third column This is a fluctuation pattern of so-called “super-shortening fluctuation” in which the fluctuation time is shorter than “216 shortening fluctuation”.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a basic operation process in the pachinko gaming machine. First, processing is performed when a game ball enters the start port 62, the general winning port 72, the big winning port 66, etc. (S10). A game control process is executed (S14), and if it is not in a normal game (N in S12), a special game control process (S16) or a small hit game control process is executed (S17), and a winning process in S10 In accordance with the number of prize balls set at, prize ball payout according to various winnings is processed (S18).

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing in detail the winning process of S10 in FIG. When there is a ball in the starting port 62 (Y in S20), the number of prize balls corresponding to the starting port 62 is set (S22), and it is referred to whether or not the holding number by the holding control means 116 is less than 4. If it is in a state where further hold is possible (Y in S24), the winning / not-lotting value is acquired (S26). A pre-judgment process for determining whether or not to win is executed based on the winning or failing lottery value (S28), and the winning or failing lottery value is held in the holding control means 116 (S30). If there is no ball entering the starting port 62 in S20, the processing from S22 to S30 is skipped (N in S20). If the number of holds reaches the upper limit in S24 and further holding is impossible, the processing from S26 to S30 is skipped (N in S24).

  If there is a winning at the general winning opening 72 (Y of S32), the number of winning balls corresponding to the general winning opening 72 is set (S34), and if there is no winning at the general winning opening 72, S34 is skipped. (N in S32). If there is a ball in the big prize opening 66 (Y of S36), the number of prize balls corresponding to the big prize slot 66 is set (S38), and if there is no ball in the big prize slot 66, S38 is skipped. (N in S36).

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing in detail the advance determination process of S28 in FIG. First, a preliminary success / failure determination is performed with reference to the preliminary design determination table (S40), a value indicating the target range is set as the determination result (S42), and a preliminary design determination is performed with reference to the preliminary design determination table. (S44), a value indicating the symbol range is set as the determination result (S46), the preliminary pattern determination is executed with reference to the preliminary pattern determination table (S48), and a value indicating the pattern range is set as the determination result. (S50). The value of the pre-determination result set as described above is temporarily stored together with the number of suspensions, and is transmitted to the symbol form determining means 131 and the effect determining means 132 of the sub-board 104 (S52).

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an overall process of the normal game control process of S14 in FIG. In this normal game control process, the pre-reading process in the sub-board 104 is executed (S250), the special symbol changing process in the main board 102 (S252), and the decorative symbol changing process in the sub-board 104 (S254) are repeated. Will be processed.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing in detail the prefetching process of S250 in FIG. Based on information obtained by so-called prefetching, the criteria such as what kind of production is executed in the sub-board 104 and what kind of result the prior determination result is executed according to the result are Pachinko game Various methods are conceivable depending on the design of game play in the machine 10. In this embodiment, the sub-board 104 side also recognizes in advance that the variation pattern of “Super 1” has been selected based on the result of the pre-determination process, so that the expectation of the big hit is high due to the notice effect. I will suggest.

  When the effect determining means 132 of the sub-board 104 receives the pre-determined result from the main board 102 (Y in S260), the effect display control means 134 is based on the information on the success / failure range, the pattern range, and the number of reservations received together with the pre-determined result. In this case, the number of holds at that time is the number of holds that ensures the symbol variation more than the number of times required for execution of the notice effect (Y in S264), and the value of the success / failure range set by the prior determination is “1”. ”And the pattern range value is“ 4 ”, that is, the big hit is confirmed regardless of whether or not the probability variation state is present, and“ Super 1 ”is accompanied (Y in S266), the advance effect setting is turned on (S272). ). On the other hand, even if the value of the success / failure range is different from this (N in S266), if the value of the success / failure range set by the prior determination is “3” and the value of the pattern range is “1”, that is, it is out of place. Even if “Super 1” is involved, the advance effect setting is turned on (S272).

  If the value of the success / failure range and the value of the pattern range do not correspond in S268 (N of S268), S272 is skipped. When the number of holds is less than the predetermined number (N in S264), the processing from S266 to S272 is skipped. If the result of the pre-determination process has not been received, the entire flow in this figure is skipped (N in S260). In the example of this figure, it is determined whether or not the pre-effect setting should be turned on based on the success / failure range and the pattern range set in advance. As a modification, it may be determined whether or not the pre-effect setting should be turned on using any information of the success / failure range and the pattern range sent as the pre-judgment result, and whether or not the pre-effect setting is turned on. You may decide by lottery separately. In the present embodiment, an example is shown in which the pre-effect setting is turned on when the result of the success / failure determination is a big hit regardless of whether it is normal or the probability change, i.e., when the big hit is confirmed, In such a case, the pre-effect setting may be turned on when it is a small hit. Alternatively, the pre-effect setting may be turned on at the time of 15R big hit or 2R big hit.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing in detail the special symbol variation process of S252 in FIG. If the symbol variation display has not yet started (N in S60), if the winning / notifying lottery value is being held by the holding control means 116 (Y in S70), the winning / notifying lottery means 112 is determined from the holding control means 116 to determine whether or not the lottery is true Is read again to determine whether or not the special symbol 192 is correct (S72), the symbol determining unit 114 determines the special symbol 192 (S74), and the variation pattern determining unit 115 determines the variation pattern of the special symbol 192 (S76). A variation start command is transmitted to the sub-board 104 together with the determined result, and the symbol variation of the special symbol 192 is started (S77). If the lottery value is not held by the hold control means 116, the processing from S72 to S77 is skipped (N in S70).

  When the symbol variation display has already been started (Y in S60), the symbol variation display of the special symbol is processed (S78), and when the predetermined variation time has passed and the symbol display stop timing is reached (S80) Y), a variation stop command is transmitted to the sub-board 104, and the symbol variation being displayed is stopped at a predetermined stop symbol (S82), and the flow of this diagram ends. If the symbol display stop timing has not been reached, the process of S82 is skipped and the flow of this figure is terminated (N in S80).

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing in detail the decorative symbol variation process of S254 in FIG. When the effect determining means 132 of the sub-board 104 receives the change start command from the main board 102 (Y in S280), the stop pattern of the decorative symbol is determined according to the received special symbol stop symbol, the variation pattern, and the result of the determination. (S282) and a new variation effect pattern is determined (S284). If the pre-effect setting is turned on (Y in S286), the content of the notice effect is set and the pre-effect setting is turned off (S292). If the pre-effect setting is not turned on in S286, S292 is skipped (N in S286). Thereafter, the display of the decorative symbols is started, and when the notice effect is determined, the notice effect is started (S296). When the change start command is not received from the main board 102, S282 to S296 are skipped (N in S280).

  If the variation display of the decorative symbol has already started (Y in S298), the display processing of the symbol variation and the notice effect is executed (S300), and when the variation stop command is received from the main board 102 (Y in S302) ), The variable display is stopped by stopping and displaying the decorative symbols in the stop mode determined in S282 (S304). When the change stop command has not been received from the main board 102, S304 is skipped (N in S302), and when the change display has not been started, S300 to S304 are skipped (N in S298).

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing in detail the special game control process of S16 in FIG. If the determination result is a big hit (Y in S90), the special game has already started (Y in S92), and the big winning opening 66 has not been opened (N in S98), the big winning opening The release process 66 is executed (S100). At this time, display of the set jackpot effect is also started. If the big prize opening 66 has been opened (Y of S98), the closing process of the big prize opening 66 is executed (S102). As a result, if the special winning opening 66 is closed (Y in S104), the process proceeds to S106. If it is not in the closed state (N in S104), the process after S106 is skipped, and this process is temporarily ended. On the other hand, if the special game has not started in S92 (N in S92), the special game is started (S94), the display of the start demonstration effect is started (S96), and this process is temporarily ended.

  In S106, it is determined whether or not a demonstration production, which is a production during a special game, is being performed. Note that the “demonstration effect” here includes a start demonstration effect and an end demonstration effect. If the demonstration is not in progress (N in S106), it is determined whether or not a special game end condition is satisfied with reference to an end flag described later (S110), and if the special game end condition is satisfied (S110). Y) After the end flag is turned off (S112), display of the end demonstration effect is started (S114). If the special game end condition is not satisfied (N in S110), this process is temporarily ended. If it is determined in S106 that the demonstration effect is being performed (Y in S106), and the end demonstration effect is completed (Y in S116), the special game is terminated (S118), and the specific game, that is, the probability change, the time reduction, and the entry The easy state is started (S120). If the end demonstration effect has not ended (N in S116), the processes in S118 and S120 are skipped. If it is not a big hit (N in S90), the flow after S92 in this figure is skipped.

  FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing in detail the release process of S100 in FIG. When the opening timing of the special winning opening 66 based on the set opening / closing pattern is reached (Y in S122), the opening / closing control means 124 uniformly turns off the passage flag and sets the operation of the opening / closing pattern (S124). The special winning opening 66 is opened (S126). In addition, a big hit effect corresponding to the number of repetitions of the current unit game or a big hit effect corresponding to the number of repetitions being different is set and started. When it is not the opening timing (N of S122), the processes of S124 and S126 are skipped.

  FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing in detail the closing process of S102 in FIG. When the closing timing of the special winning opening 66 based on the set opening / closing pattern is reached, the open / close control means 124 closes the special winning opening 66. That is, during a special game, whether the end condition based on the number of balls is satisfied (Y in S130) or the end condition based on the number of balls is not satisfied (N in S130), the end condition based on the opening time is satisfied ( (Y of S132), the special winning opening 66 is closed (S134). If the termination condition based on the opening time is not satisfied (N in S132), the flow after S134 is skipped.

  The end condition based on the number of balls in 15R jackpot is 9 or more balls entering the grand prize opening 66, and the end condition based on the opening time is a set time according to the opening / closing pattern from the opening start of the big prize opening 66. It is progress. In the case of 15R big hit, 30 seconds have elapsed since the start of opening, and in the case of 2R big hit, 0.5 seconds have elapsed since the start of opening. However, since the opening for 0.5 seconds is extremely short, it is difficult to enter nine or more balls and to enter the ball itself. Even if a game ball is launched at the same time as the opening of the grand prize opening, it is difficult to enter the game, so it is predicted that the 2R big hit will be opened before the grand prize opening 66 is opened. It is necessary to launch a game ball. On the other hand, the finish condition based on the number of balls in 15R big hit is 9 or more balls entering the grand prize opening, and the end condition based on the opening time is 30 seconds from the start of opening the big prize opening 66. At this time, if the maximum number of continuations has been reached (Y in S136), the end flag is turned on (S138). If the maximum number of continuations has not been reached (N in S136), the process in S138 is skipped. In this embodiment, the upper limit number of continuations is 15 times. If neither the end condition based on the number of entered balls nor the end condition based on the opening time is satisfied (N in S130, N in S132), the processes after S134 are skipped.

  FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing in detail the small hit game control process of S17 in FIG. If the determination result is a small hit (Y in S150), the small hit game has already started (Y in S152), and the big winning opening 66 has not been opened (N in S158). A process for opening the winning opening 66 is executed (S160), and if it is already opened (Y in S158), a closing process for the big winning opening 66 is executed (S162). As a result, if the special winning opening 66 is closed (Y in S164), the process proceeds to S166. If it is not in the closed state (N of S164), the process after S166 is skipped and this process is temporarily ended. On the other hand, if the small hit game has not started in S152 (N in S152), the small hit game is started (S154), and the display of the start demonstration effect similar to the 2R big hit is started (S156). Exit once.

  In S166, it is determined whether or not a demonstration effect which is an effect during the small hit game is being performed. If the demonstration effect is not in progress (N in S166), it is determined whether or not the small hit game end condition is satisfied. Here, if an end flag, which will be described later, is on, the small hit game end condition is satisfied. If the small hit game end condition is satisfied (Y in S170), the end flag is turned off (S172), and the display of the end demonstration effect is started (S174). If the small hit game ending condition is not satisfied (N in S170), this process is temporarily ended. When it is determined in S166 that the demonstration effect is being performed (Y in S166) and the end demonstration effect is completed (Y in S176), the small hit game is terminated (S178). If the end demonstration effect has not ended (N in S176), the process of S178 is skipped. If it is not a small hit (N in S150), the flow after S152 in this figure is skipped.

  FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing in detail the release process of S160 in FIG. When it is the opening timing of the big winning opening 66 based on the set opening / closing pattern (Y in S180), the opening / closing control means 124 sets the operation of the opening / closing pattern (S182) and starts opening the big winning opening 66. (S184). When it is not the opening timing (N of S180), the processing of S182 and S184 is skipped.

  FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing in detail the closing process of S162 in FIG. When the end timing of the special winning opening 66 based on the set opening / closing pattern is reached (Y in S190), the end flag is turned on (S192), and the special winning opening 66 is closed (S194). This closing timing is the timing when 0.5 seconds have elapsed since the opening of the special winning opening 66. If it is not the closing timing (N of S190), the processes of S192 and S194 are skipped.

(First embodiment)
In this embodiment, by continuously transmitting command data from the main board 102 to the sub-board 104, it is possible to transmit a command having an amount exceeding the data size that can be transmitted in one command data. The pachinko gaming machine 10 according to the present embodiment includes all the above-mentioned prerequisite technologies in principle, but also includes some differences. Hereinafter, the difference from the base technology will be mainly described.

  The instruction data is composed of a combination of instruction type data called so-called MODE data and instruction content data called so-called EVENT data. In a normal command, one command can be sent by transmitting a set of command data composed of command type data and command content data from the main board 102 to the sub board 104. The instruction type data is a 1-byte bit string indicating the instruction type, and a unique type code is assigned to each instruction type in advance at the development stage. The instruction content data is a 1-byte bit string indicating the contents of the instruction. However, the most significant bit of the instruction type data and the instruction content data is an identification bit indicating whether the instruction type data or the instruction content data. When the most significant bit is 1, it indicates instruction type data, and when the most significant bit is 0, it indicates instruction content data. Therefore, the data amount included in the instruction type data and the instruction content data is substantially 7 bits each, and the value of 0 to 127 can be normally included as a value.

  Each means such as the success / failure lottery means 112, the symbol determination means 114, and the variation pattern determination means 115 included in the main board 102 has the number of types represented by a bit string having a data length longer than 7 bits, that is, the number of types of 128 or more. In order to transmit a special command, a plurality of sets of command data are continuously transmitted in a predetermined order. That is, a bit string of an instruction exceeding 7 bits is divided into a plurality of blocks of 7 bits or less, and each is transmitted as instruction content data. After that, the instruction content data included in the continuously transmitted instruction data is combined in a predetermined procedure by the effect determination means 132 of the sub-board 104, so that a bit string having a data length longer than 7 bits is reconfigured. "

  In this embodiment, “sequentially in a predetermined order” means, for example, that the same type of instruction data is transmitted continuously without interposing other instruction data between them, and the lower bit side from the block on the upper bit side This means sending to the blocks in order. However, as a modification, a method of transmitting in order from a block on the lower bit side to a block on the upper bit side may be used, or transmission may be performed in an order based on a predetermined rule. Further, it may be transmitted at a predetermined interval or in a predetermined order with other command data interposed therebetween, and in any case, if transmission and combination can be performed according to the same rule on both the main board 102 on the transmission side and the sub board 104 on the reception side. It ’s enough. When the transmission order is changed for each transmission according to such a rule, for example, it is possible to prevent an illegal act by a so-called Goto.

  FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a table of instruction type data and instruction content data indicating the number of probability changes. The instruction content data shown in this figure shows the number of symbol fluctuations as the end condition in the case of a probability change (term change of the number delimiter called so-called ST) whose termination condition is that the number of symbol fluctuations reaches a predetermined number of times. And Specifically, the main board 102 determines any value from 1 to 150 times as the probability variation number, and uses the command data in this figure to transmit the value to the sub board 104. Each of the 150 instructions has a command content of “0” indicating “probable number of changes 1” to “149” indicating “number of probable changes 150” as the number of symbol fluctuations. Since it cannot be expressed, it cannot be expressed by a conventional set of instruction data. Therefore, in the example of this figure, two sets of 7-bit data are used and transmitted as 14-bit data. However, in another instruction, data of 21 bits or more may be used by using three or more sets of instruction data.

  In the first command table 300, the first column 302 shows the command contents. The second column 304 indicates information to be transmitted as instruction type data in hexadecimal. The third column 306 shows information to be transmitted as instruction content data in hexadecimal, and the fourth column 308 shows the information in binary. The special instruction of the number of times of probability change is expressed by two sets of instruction data, and these are continuously transmitted. Therefore, the second column 304, the third column 306, the fourth column 308 are added to one command content shown in the first column 302. Then, two pieces of information are shown. That is, the upper part of each column is the first set of instruction data, the lower part is the second set of instruction data, the information included in the instruction type data is shown in the second column 304, and the information included in the instruction content data is shown in the third column 306, This is shown in the fourth column 308.

  For example, the data corresponding to the instruction of “probable change count 150” is the command type data of both the first set and the second set, “A7” indicating the type of the probable change count instruction in hexadecimal. Since the bit string is “10100111” and the most significant bit is “1”, it is identified that this data is instruction type data. On the other hand, the first set of instruction content data is “01” expressed in hexadecimal, the bit string is “00000001”, and the most significant bit is “0”, so that this data is identified as instruction content data. Is done. The second set of instruction content data is “15” expressed in hexadecimal, “00010101” as a bit string, and the most significant bit is “0”, so that this data is also identified as instruction content data. .

  FIG. 24 schematically shows a combination of instruction content data included in two sets of instruction data. This figure illustrates the combination in the instruction data of “probability change count 150” in the previous figure. In both sets, the command type data is “10100111” which is a bit string of “A7”, and by continuously transmitting these, the effect determining means 132 of the sub-board 104 recognizes that these command contents should be combined. To do. The effect determining unit 132 of the sub-board 104 may determine whether or not the command type data should be combined according to a specific type.

  The first set of instruction content data is “00000001”, and the second set of instruction content data is “00010101”. The effect determining means 132 combines the lower 7 bits excluding the most significant bit. As a combination rule, the bit string transmitted earlier is higher and the bit string transmitted later is lower. As a result, the combined 14-bit bit string “000000010010101” is “149” in decimal notation, and the sub-board 104 recognizes that it indicates the instruction content of “the probability variation number 150”. In the modified example, the bit string transmitted earlier as the combination rule may be lower and the bit string transmitted later may be higher.

  FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing the process of receiving and combining command data. When the instruction data is received from the main board 102 (Y in S200) and the command data is a continuous command (Y in S202), the effect determining means 132 of the sub-board 104 receives the command content data received. The instruction part and the instruction part of the previous instruction content data are combined (S204), and the process returns to S202. In S202, whether or not the instruction is a continuous instruction is determined based on whether or not it is the same type as the previous instruction data, but in a modified example, it may be determined based on whether or not the instruction type is a specific type. . After returning to S202, the command is received again (Y of S202), and if the command is a continuous command (Y of S202), it is combined again (S204), and is not a continuous command (S202). N) The instruction or the combined instruction is stored in the control queue (S206). If no command is received in S200, the reception is monitored until it is received (N in S200).

  FIG. 26 is a diagram showing a table of command type data indicating game time and command content data. The command content data shown in this figure is content for transmitting time information such as an elapsed time from power-on and an elapsed time from jackpot to the sub-board 104 from the main board 102 as “game time”. For example, the main board 102 transmits the game time to the sub board 104 on the assumption that the sub board 104 executes a predetermined effect according to the game time. Here, the minimum value of the game time is 1 second, and the maximum value is 64800 seconds. Each of the 64800 instructions has a command content of “0” indicating “game time 1” to “64799” indicating “game time 64800” as the game time, but the value cannot be expressed in 7 bits. For this reason, it cannot be expressed by a conventional set of instruction data. Therefore, in the example of this figure, the most significant bit (7th bit) is a bit indicating instruction content data, 2 bits of 5th to 6th bits are bits indicating the combination order of consecutive instructions, and the remaining 0-4 It is assumed that 5 bits of 5 bits are transmitted as 20 bits using 4 sets of data. In addition, as a modification, a form in which 5-bit data is combined using a plurality other than four sets may be used. In addition, the bit indicating the combination order may be composed of 1 bit or 3 bits or more instead of 2 bits. For example, if the bit indicating the joining order is 1 bit, the instruction part is within 6 bits, and if the bit indicating the joining order is 3 bits, the instruction part is within 4 bits.

  In the second command table 310, the first column 312 shows command contents. The second column 314 shows information to be transmitted as instruction type data in hexadecimal. The third column 316 shows information to be transmitted as instruction content data in hexadecimal, and the fourth column 318 shows the information in binary. Since the special instruction of the game time is expressed by four sets of instruction data and these are continuously transmitted, the second column 314, the third column 316, the fourth column 318 are assigned to one command content shown in the first column 312. Then, four pieces of information are shown. That is, the information included in the instruction type data is shown in the second column 304 in the order of the first group, the second group, the third group, and the fourth group from the top to the bottom of each column, and the information included in the instruction content data is the third column. 306, fourth column 308.

  For example, the data corresponding to the command of “game time 64800” is the command type data of any of the first to fourth sets, and “A8” that represents the type of game time command in hexadecimal. Since the bit string is “10101000” and the most significant bit is “1”, it is identified that this data is instruction type data. On the other hand, the first set of instruction content data is “01” expressed in hexadecimal, the bit string is “00000001”, and the most significant bit is “0”, so that this data is identified as instruction content data. Is done. In addition, since the 5th to 6th bits are “00”, it is identified that this data is combined in the highest rank. The second set of instruction content data is “3F” expressed in hexadecimal, the bit string is “00111111”, and the most significant bit is “0”, so that this data is also identified as instruction content data. . In addition, since the 5th to 6th bits are “01”, it is identified that the data combination rank is second from the top. Since the third set of instruction content data is “48” expressed in hexadecimal, the bit string is “01001000”, and the most significant bit is “0”, this data is also identified as instruction content data. . In addition, since the 5th to 6th bits are “10”, it is identified that the data combination rank is third from the top. The fourth set of instruction content data is “7F” expressed in hexadecimal, the bit string is “01111111”, and the most significant bit is “0”, so that this data is also identified as instruction content data. . In addition, since the 5th to 6th bits are “11”, it is identified that the data combination rank is fourth from the top, that is, the least significant.

  FIG. 27 schematically shows a combination of instruction content data included in four sets of instruction data. This figure illustrates the combination in the command data of “game time 64800” in the previous figure. In all four sets, the command type data is “10101000” which is a bit string of “A8”, and by continuously transmitting these, it is recognized that the effect determination means 132 of the sub-board 104 should combine these command contents. To do. The effect determining unit 132 of the sub-board 104 may determine whether or not the command type data should be combined according to a specific type.

  The instruction of the first set of instruction contents data is “00000001”, the second set of instruction contents data is “00111111”, the instruction of the third set of instruction contents data is “01001000”, and the fourth set The instruction content data is “01111111”. The 7th bit, which is the most significant bit, is all “0”, and the 5th and 6th bits, that is, “00” in the first set, “01” in the second set, “10” in the third set, The fourth set of “11” indicates the joining order. The effect determining means 132 combines the lower 5 bits excluding the 5th to 7th bits. In addition, as a combining rule, combining is performed in the order of “00”, “01”, “10”, and “11” from the top. As a result, the combined 20-bit bit string “0000111111101000011111” is “64799” in decimal notation, and the sub-board 104 recognizes that it indicates the instruction content of “game time 64800”. The coupling procedure is as shown in FIG.

  As described above, by using a plurality of instruction data, a value exceeding 7 bits can be efficiently transmitted. In addition, although a plurality of instruction data is used for one instruction, only one type needs to be assigned as the instruction type data, and it is possible to avoid waste of assignment of types that can currently have only 128 types. In the case of transmitting a larger value, it is only necessary to increase the number of continuous transmissions accordingly. Therefore, in theory, this is a method that can increase the data amount without an upper limit.

  If some command data is lost due to a communication error due to noise in the gaming machine during transmission of multiple sets of command data, all the command data continuously transmitted at that time will be discarded on the receiving side. To do. This is because even if part of the instruction data is missing, complete combining cannot be performed and data cannot be matched. However, if different types of instruction data are received before and after the missing data, whether all the instruction data before the missing is received, that is, whether the missing data is continuous with the instruction data before the missing Cannot be determined. As a modified example for avoiding such a situation, the predetermined bit of the instruction data may be a “termination bit” and the bit may be used to clearly indicate that the instruction data is the last instruction of the continuous instruction. . In that case, if the end bit in the instruction data before the loss indicates that it is the end, it can be recognized that the instruction data before the loss is the end, so it is not necessary to discard the instruction data received until then. . Conversely, if the end bit in the data before missing indicates that it is not the end, it can be recognized that the missing instruction data is at the end, and therefore the data including the instruction data before missing is discarded.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which a plurality of instruction data generated by dividing an instruction bit string into a plurality of blocks are transmitted in order from a block on the upper bit side to a block on the lower bit side. As a modified example, the block is transmitted in order from the block on the lower bit side to the block on the upper bit side, and the predetermined bit of the instruction data is set as the “termination bit”, and the instruction data is used as the last bit of the continuous instruction using the bit. You may specify that it is an instruction. In that case, when the value of the instruction content is relatively small enough to be expressed only by the lower bit side block, as long as the instruction data necessary for the expression is transmitted, the instruction can be executed without transmitting the upper bit side block. It is possible to reconfigure. For example, when an instruction can be expressed only with the lowest order instruction data such as “game time 1”, “game time 2”, and “game time 3” in the second instruction table 310 of FIG. 26, the end bit of the instruction data on the lower bit side It is only necessary to turn on and transmit only the command data. As a result, more efficient communication is possible with a reduced amount of data transmission.

(Second embodiment)
In this embodiment, an instruction exceeding 7 bits is expressed using two sets of instruction data. However, the first embodiment is expressed by assigning different instruction types to two sets of instruction data used for one instruction. And different. Hereinafter, the difference from the base technology and the first embodiment will be mainly described.

  Each means such as the success / failure lottery means 112, the symbol determination means 114, and the variation pattern determination means 115 included in the main board 102 has the number of types represented by a bit string having a data length longer than 7 bits, that is, the number of types of 128 or more. At least two sets of instruction data including a first set and a second set are used for transmitting the special instructions. The type of special instruction is indicated by designating a value range and a number in the value range among the value ranges obtained by dividing the number of types into a plurality of values. First, the first set of instruction type data indicates that the value range is specified, and the value range is specified by the instruction content data of the set. The second set of instruction type data indicates that the number in the value range is specified, and the number in the value range is specified by the instruction content data of the set.

  FIG. 28 is a diagram showing a table of instruction type data and instruction content data indicating the number of probability changes in the second embodiment. The types of instructions shown in this figure are the same as the types of instructions shown in FIG. 23 in the first embodiment. That is, the main board 102 determines any value from 1 to 150 times as the probability variation number, and uses the command data in this figure to transmit the value to the sub board 104. The special instructions of this figure having 150 kinds of types each have a value from “0” indicating “probable variation number 1” to “149” indicating “probable variation number 150” as the symbol content. However, the value cannot be expressed by 7 bits. Therefore, the range of 150 types is divided into blocks of 7 bits each, that is, 128 blocks, and an instruction is expressed by a combination of a value specifying a value range and a value specifying a number within the value range. . In the example of this figure, since the number of types is 150, it is divided into two blocks. However, if it is a larger value, it can be divided into 3 blocks or more and 128 blocks or less.

  In the third instruction table 320, the first column 322 shows instruction contents. The second column 324 shows information to be transmitted as instruction type data in hexadecimal. The third column 326 shows information to be transmitted as instruction content data in hexadecimal, and the fourth column 328 shows the information in binary. Since the special instruction of the probability variation number is expressed by two sets of instruction data and these are continuously transmitted, the second column 324, the third column 326, the fourth column 328 for one command content shown in the first column 322. Then, two pieces of information are shown. That is, the upper part of each column is the first set of instruction data, the lower part is the second set of instruction data, the information included in the instruction type data is shown in the second column 324, and the information included in the instruction content data is shown in the third column 326, This is shown in the fourth column 328.

  For example, the data corresponding to the instruction of “probable change count 150” is “A7” in which the first set of instruction type data is expressed in hexadecimal, and this type is a type indicating the value range in the probable change count instruction. Since the bit string is “10100111” and the most significant bit is “1”, it is identified that this data is instruction type data. The second set of instruction type data is “A8” expressed in hexadecimal, and this type is a type indicating a number within a value range in the probability variation number instruction. Since the bit string is “10101000” and the most significant bit is “1”, it is identified that this data is also the instruction type data. On the other hand, the first set of instruction content data is “01” expressed in hexadecimal, the bit string is “00000001”, and the most significant bit is “0”, so that this data is identified as instruction content data. Is done. The second set of instruction content data is “15” expressed in hexadecimal, “00010101” as a bit string, and the most significant bit is “0”, so that this data is also identified as instruction content data. .

  For example, a procedure for recognizing a value in command data of “probability change count 150” is illustrated. The first set of instruction type data is “10100111” which is a bit string of “A7”, and the second set of instruction type data is “10101000” which is a bit string of “A8”. The effect determining means 132 of the sub-board 104 recognizes that these command contents should be combined. The effect determining unit 132 of the sub-board 104 may determine whether or not the command type data should be combined according to a specific type.

  The first set of instruction content data is “00000001”, which specifies the first value range. The value range assumed in the example of this figure is that the 0th value range is “0-127”, the first value range is “128-255”, and the second value range is “256- 383 ”and the fourth value range is“ 384 to 511 ”. Thus, the value range is divided into 128 blocks. The second set of instruction content data is “00010101”. Therefore, the effect determining means 132 specifies “00010101” in the first value range “128 to 255”, that is, the 21st value. If the minimum value in the specified value range is added as a constant to the number in the specified value range, the value of the instruction content can be obtained. Here, the effect determining means 132 determines that “149” obtained by adding “128”, which is the minimum value in the value range, to “21” as a constant is a value to be obtained, and that the value corresponds to “the number of times of probability change 150”. Be recognized.

  FIG. 29 is a diagram showing a table of instruction type data and instruction content data indicating the number of fluctuations. The types of commands shown in this figure are contents that are transmitted from the main board 102 to the sub-board 104 as the “fluctuation number” as the total number of symbol fluctuations after the power is turned on or after the special game ends. For example, the main board 102 transmits the number of fluctuations to the sub-board 104 on the assumption that the sub-board 104 performs a predetermined effect according to the number of fluctuations. Here, the minimum value of the number of fluctuations is set to 0, and the maximum value is set to 8000. Each of the 8001 instructions has an instruction content of “0” indicating “variation count 0” to “8000” indicating “variation count 8000”, but the value cannot be expressed in 7 bits. It cannot be expressed by one set of instruction data. Therefore, the range of 8001 types is divided into blocks of 7 bits each, that is, 128 blocks, and an instruction is expressed by a combination of a value specifying a value range and a value specifying a number within the value range. .

  The information shown in the first column 332, the second column 334, and the third column 336 in the first instruction table 330 is the same as the first column 322, the second column 324, and the third column 326 in the third instruction table 320. . For example, the data corresponding to the instruction of “number of times of change 8000” is “A7” in which the first set of instruction type data is expressed in hexadecimal, and is a type indicating a value range in the number of times of change instruction. The instruction content data is “3E” expressed in hexadecimal and “00111110” as a bit string, and specifies the 62nd value range. The second set of instruction type data is “A8” expressed in hexadecimal, which is a type indicating a number within a value range in the change count instruction. The instruction content data is “40” expressed in hexadecimal and “01000000” as a bit string, indicating that it is the 21st in the value range. Accordingly, the 21st value in the 62nd value range, that is, “8000” is specified, and the instruction “variation count 8000” is recognized.

  The instruction type data in this embodiment can be divided into 128 value ranges by dividing the 7-bit value range into blocks. As a modification, for example, a value range of 6 bits or less, that is, a value range such as a value range of 64 or a value range of 32 may be used. Thus, one or more empty bits can be provided in the instruction type data, and other information can be assigned to the empty bits. Further, the instruction content data in this embodiment has information within 7 bits. As a modification, information of 6 bits or less can be provided to provide one or more empty bits in the instruction content data, and other information can be assigned to the empty bits.

  As another modification, the value range is not specified by a 7-bit value, but only one of bits 0 to 6 is turned on, and the value range is determined depending on which bit is turned on. May be specified. For example, if the 0th bit is on, the value range “0 to 127” is specified, and the 1st bit is the value range “128 to 255”. Similarly, the second bit is a value range “256 to 383”, the third bit is a value range “384 to 511”, the fourth bit is a value range “512 to 639”, and the fifth bit is a value range “640 to 767”. The 6th bit designates a value range “768 to 895”. Further, the relationship between the bit number and the value range may be reversed. As described above, when the bit string is divided into seven blocks, that is, when the instruction content is a value of 0 to 895, the value range can be specified by the method in this modification.

  As described above, by using two sets of instruction data, a value exceeding 7 bits can be efficiently transmitted. Although it is necessary to assign two different types to one command, 128 × 128 = 16384 types of commands can be transmitted as the information amount, and the information amount can be greatly increased.

  If some command data is missing due to a communication error, and the command data received immediately before the error is command data indicating the type of value range, the missing value range is the continuously transmitted value range. It is determined that the instruction content data indicates the type of the number, and both instruction data are discarded. This is because the original instruction cannot be reconstructed if any of them is missing. Similarly, if some command data is missing due to a communication error, and the command data received immediately after the error is command data indicating the type of number within the value range, the missing data is the continuous transmission. It is determined that the instruction content data indicates the type of the specified value range, and both instruction data are discarded. As described above, whether or not the instruction data before and after the error is instruction data related to continuous transmission can be determined based on the instruction type data. Therefore, it can be easily determined whether or not the instruction data before and after should be discarded.

In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, A component can be deform | transformed and embodied in the range which does not deviate from a summary. In addition, various inventions may be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of components disclosed in the above embodiment, or some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the above embodiment. . Furthermore, it is possible to appropriately combine the constituent elements over a plurality of embodiments.
When the sub-control device receives a special command using the at least two sets of command data, the sub-control device has a minimum value range specified in the first set with respect to a number specified in the second set. The special instruction may be recognized by reconstructing a bit string having a data length longer than the predetermined data length by adding a value as a constant.

  10 Pachinko gaming machines, 50 gaming boards, 52 gaming areas, 60 effect display devices, 112 winning / losing lottery means, 114 symbol determining means, 115 variation pattern determining means, 116 holding control means, 120 special game controlling means, 132 effect determining means, 134 Production display control means.

Claims (1)

A game board in which a game area is formed;
A start winning opening provided at a predetermined position in the game area, and a game ball entering is a lottery opportunity;
A main control device for controlling a game operation including a lottery to be executed in response to a ball entering the start winning opening;
A sub-control device for controlling the effect operation of the game including display processing for indicating the result of the success / failure lottery,
The main control device associates command type data and command content data, which is a set of command data to be transmitted as a command to the sub control device, and transmits the command type data to the sub control device,
The instruction type data includes a bit string of a predetermined data length indicating the type of instruction,
The command content data includes a bit string of a predetermined data length indicating the content of the command,
The main control device uses at least two sets of instruction data including a first set and a second set to transmit a special instruction having a number of types expressed by a bit string having a data length longer than the predetermined data length. In addition, in order to indicate the type of the special instruction in the form of designating a value range and a number within the value range among the value ranges obtained by dividing the value of the number of types, the first set of instruction type data Indicates the type specifying the value range and specifies the value range by the instruction content data of the set, and the instruction type data of the second set indicates the type specifying the number Specify the number by the instruction content data of the set,
When the sub-control device receives the special command using the at least two sets of command data, the sub-control device sets the value of the number specified by the second set in the value range specified by the first set. A ball game machine that recognizes the special command by reconfiguring a bit string having a data length longer than the predetermined data length by specifying.

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